Select Page

The implementation of drones during shipping inspections is becoming essential as the maritime industry realizes the potential of drones to eliminate safety hazards, substantially lower maintenance costs, and perform inspections without the loss of production time. Drones are an advantageous tool while performing inspections in the air, underwater, and now even inside confined spaces such as holds and ballast tanks.

The detection of corrosion is paramount in the maritime industry with corrosion having the potential to inflict damage from the port’s infrastructures to the exterior and interior of vessels. It is important to conduct routine inspections in order to detect corrosion damage, but also corrosion must be consistently monitored to track the corrosion’s growth. Lack of frequency should not be a limitation in such an important inspection. Drones can provide high quality visual representations of the inspection area that can be viewed in real-time or saved for future comparisons.

“The more you know about what’s out there in terms of NDT tools and monitoring techniques, the more equipped you’ll be to make a choice that will preserve the longevity of the assets you’re in charge of monitoring,” says Jason Acerbi, Eastern US General Manager at MFE Rentals.

IN THE AIR

In the air, using drones eliminates the need to utilize expensive and time-consuming methods. The taller tanks on ships can reach more than 25 meters high and may require the construction of scaffolding and hung staging equipment. Not only is this dangerous for inspectors, but this process requires machinery to be shut down–a very costly practice. Drones are able to carry out the same inspection quickly and efficiently with inspectors remaining on the ground.

In order to fly a drone as a commercial operator, the FAA requires pilots to pass a Part 107 Certification Exam and follow specific guidelines to ensure maximum safety while flying. There are drone training courses that will prepare you for the exam and train you for an industrial environment inspection such as MFE Rentals’ five-day Advanced Drone Piloting Course. The course trains pilots in the complexities involved in advanced commercial drone operation such as creating a pre-flight checklist, compensating for erratic movement, accommodating for structures in line of flight, making appropriate camera choices, and creating a flight plan.

FAA regulations require pilots to keep their drone within sight during flight and use a secondary visual observer for those utilizing first person views or similar technology. Pilots may also only fly during daylight or in twilight and maintain a maximum of 400 feet above the ground or higher if the drone remains within 400 feet of a structure.

However, the FAA does not monitor the enclosed air spaces involved in many industrial inspections. Consequently, the FAA Part 107 Exam is not a requirement for the inspection of confined spaces.

CONFINED SPACES

Indoor inspection such as inside the hull of a ship has many challenges. The atmosphere within a tank is dark and hot, and inside the tanks, inspectors may be exposed to dangerous gases that may not be detectable by smell. Inspections are usually performed by a team of inspectors who must climb on ropes without safety nets. If not ropes, then scaffolding must be constructed within the space. This is a time-consuming, expensive, and dangerous project.

Flyability Elios Case Study Maritime Industry

Flyability Inspected Six Tanks in Two Days with the Elios During a Shipping Inspection Case Study

The use of caged drone technology allows inspectors to conduct these inspections in a fraction of the time while eliminating health risks and financial costs. Caged drone manufacturer Flyability conducted a case study with their Elios caged drone and was able to perform an inspection on six tanks in two days compared to the tanks’ usual inspections that lasted 18 days and consisted of three to four rope inspectors.

In a subsequent case study, Flyability used Elios to inspect the ballast tank of one of CMA CGM’s container ships. They needed to inspect the 323 meter vessel’s general integrity, corrosion level, and monitor the anodes within the ballast. The ballast was 15 meters long with two manholes that were 600mm and 400mm respectively. An inspection that normally required three to four inspectors utilizing ropes, oxygen monitoring devices, and extensive safety equipment was conducted by one pilot with three flights that were 10 minutes long each. The caged drone’s collision tolerance and onboard lighting allowed the pilot to maneuver the drone safely and efficiently without any external lighting.

UNDERWATER

Drones can also be used to perform visual inspections underwater. Underwater drones allow port authorities and border security professionals to perform hull inspections on each passing vessel. These underwater drones or ROVs eliminate the need to send a diver underwater and vessels aren’t forced to incur expensive delays while drydocking.

The ROV camera records the condition of the hull markings, rudders, sacrificial anodes, and propellers. Also the Deep Trekker ROV systems can be outfitted with a thickness gauge to test the thickness of the hull.

As technology advances, the use of drones will only increase with features on the horizon such as detailed 3D models of interior assets and more advanced automations. With its use in the air, confined spaces, and under water, drones are a crucial time-saving and cost effective tool for the maritime industry.

To learn more about how the Flyability Elios and Elios 2 or to request a quote, contact us at sales@mferentals.com.

Other News

MFE Rentals and Flyability announce a partnership

MFE Rentals, Inc. is now an authorized reseller of Flyability’s Elios, the world’s first collision-tolerant drone. With its carbon fiber protective structure decoupled from the drone using gimbal technology and a live video feedback, the Elios provides a visual reach...

The Mark IV Tank Floor Scanner is Now Available for Rent

MFE Rentals is excited to announce the addition of the new 65 lb Mark IV Tank Floor Scanner to MFE Rentals' expansive rental fleet of leading NDT and RVI equipment. With the new Mark IV, tank floor  scanning is a faster process that leaves behind the cumbersome...

Rent the Niton XL5 Today!

When versatility, low limits of detection and high sample throughout are critical, industrial businesses rely on the handheld Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL5 XRF analyzer. Providing customers with solutions designed to meet their most demanding...

Explore the Oceans with Deep Trekker Underwater Drones

MFE Inspection Solutions is excited to bring you Deep Trekker commercial-grade underwater drones. Deep Trekker ROVS are specifically designed and developed to make underwater observation easy and affordable. We offer an extensive selection of submersible robots with...

Secure Your Spot in Our MFL Training Course

The MFL Training Course dates have been announced for 2018! The MFE Training Class is a 40-hour course that takes place at our headquarters in Dripping Springs, Texas. As a family-owned company, MFE is proud to offer students hands-on instruction directly...

New Training Course Available: Industrial Drone Piloting

Interested in learning how to pilot drones and to put the invaluable tool to work in your industry? We're excited to offer our new Drone Class that offers two drone piloting options, ideal for beginners or aspiring professionals. Safety and efficiency are paramount to...

The NISTM Conference Begins Tuesday! Stop By Booth #424

We will be exhibiting at the upcoming NISTM tradeshow in Orlando, Florida on March 27th. Stop by booth #424 where we will be featuring some of our equipment from top manufacturers such as MFE Enterprises' Mark IV Tank Floor Scanner, DJI's Inspire 2 drone,...

Our MFL Training Course Featured In Tank News International

Our 40-hour MFL Inspection Course will be featured in Tank News International’s Summer 2018 Issue. The article highlights our hands-on approach to MFL inspection training from experienced instructors, including our Founder and CEO Bill Duke, who has over 30 years experience in the magnetic flux leakage technique.

Rent the FLIR GF320 Infrared Camera

The FLIR Systems GF320 Infrared Camera is now available to rent through MFE Rentals for your quad-o methane emission inspections. The FLIR GF320 detects hydrocarbon and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from natural gas production and use. With this optical...

The New DJI Phantom 4 RTK is Here

Phantom 4 RTK   Visionary Intelligence. Elevated Accuracy.   Upgrade your next mapping mission with the Phantom 4 RTK – the most compact and accurate low altitude mapping solution. Next Generation Mapping DJI has rethought its drone technology from the...

MFE Rentals Announces Partnership with FLIR to Offer New GF77 Uncooled Thermal Camera

DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX—MFE Rentals announced today its partnership with FLIR Systems to add the new FLIR GF77 Gas Find IR to MFE Rentals’ growing fleet of inspection equipment available for purchase or rent. The FLIR GF77 is FLIR’s first uncooled thermal camera designed...

MFE Rentals Expands Gulf Coast Reach with New Corpus Christi Location

DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX, February 22, 2019 --MFE Rentals, Inc announced today its expansion into Corpus Christi, Texas in response to a strong demand for its presence in the Gulf Coast region. The new office marks their 12th North American location, including the new...

Amusement Park Inspections with the Flyability Elios

Faster, Safer, and More Economical with EliosWest Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Canada is not only the largest shopping center in North America, it also contains the largest indoor waterpark in North America and the largest indoor triple-loop roller coaster in the world,...

Avoid the Deadly Work, Purchase A Drone from MFE

According to Bloomberg's recent article, "more than a thousand U.S. laborers have been killed working in confined spaces in the past decade." The usage of drones to inspect high and confined spaces is not only cost-effective, but it saves lives. Featured in the...

Can the ELIOS 2 Be Used During a Formal Inspection?

API is relied upon for its rigorous standards applied to various inspection methods. According to Flyability's recent article, Steven Verver of RoNik Inspectioneering in the Netherlands wanted to see whether an inspector from their formal inspection body Bureau...

MFE Enterprises Announces New 61 lb. Mapping Edge Scanner, the MFE EDGE

MFE Enterprises announces the launch of its new 61 lb. manual and mapping edge scanner today, the MFE Edge. MFE Enterprises applied the superior mapping software and reliable technology of its coveted Mark IV Tank Scanner to the functionality of an edge scanner when...

MFE expands U.S. territory agreement with Flyability

February 26, 2020 – MFE Enterprises, Inc. has expanded its U.S. reseller agreement with Flyability, Swiss creator of the groundbreaking Elios 2 drone for indoor inspections. MFE recently finalized an agreement to expand the U.S. territory in which it sells Flyability...

Introducing MFE’s New Elevated Body Temperature Thermal Imaging System

MFE Enterprises, Inc. is proud to announce the production of our new thermal high-temperature screening system, the MFE EBT Screener. This new equipment conducts mass thermal screenings for elevated body temperatures in high-traffic, public places. "We’re ready to...

All Elevated Body Temperature Scanners Are Not Created Equally

by Aaron Hunter, MFE Rentals Canada, Eastern Canada Business Development Manager As a level one Thermographer, I can't help but be concerned about some of the choices large corporations and businesses are making as they choose a device to scan for elevated body...

Sarcos Robotics Names MFE Rentals an Official Rental and Resale Partner for the Guardian® S Remote Visual Inspection Robot

The Guardian® S Robot Is A Low-Profile, All-Terrain Multi-Sensor Inspection Tool Operated Through Remote Communication Salt Lake City and Houston — July 14, 2020 — Sarcos Robotics and MFE Rentals today announced a partnership giving MFE Rentals customers premier...

VIDEO | RVI Equipment Feature | MFE Diesel Borescope

Get a glimpse of the MFE Diesel Borescope demonstrated by our Mississauga, Ontario Branch Manager Aaron Hunter. The MFE Diesel Borescope is a lightweight, portable, and easy-to-use borescope with 360° articulation and an integrated design. Its waterproof and...

Using the FLIR Si124 Acoustic Imaging Camera to Visualize Sound

The FLIR Si124 is now available to rent at MFE. This tool will give you the opportunity to view a precise acoustic image in real-time for the purpose of leak detection and locating partial discharge from high-voltage systems. The FLIR Si124 displays the ultrasonic...

Why it’s Important to Take Lessons Before You Fly a Drone

Over the past several years drones have become increasingly popular for both home and business use. It is vitally important to know and follow the rules and regulations regarding drones which have been set out by the FAA, and therefore receive drone training. The...

MFE Rentals Partners with Boston Dynamics to Offer Autonomous Agile Robot SPOT to Customers

HOUSTON, TX, October 13, 2020 – Inspection solutions provider MFE Rentals announces its partnership with global mobile robotics leader Boston Dynamics today giving MFE Rentals customers premier access to the groundbreaking SPOT robot. Boston Dynamics designed SPOT® to...

Our January 2021 MFL Training Class Has Begun!

The first day of our January 2021 40-Hour MFL Training Class session has started! These students will soon earn their API-653 Annex G MFL Certification through classroom instruction and hands-on training on our 28ft tanks onsite. Email Bryan...

FLYABILITY AND MFE ANNOUNCE SIX-PART WEBINAR SERIES ON DRONE INSPECTIONS

Webinars in the series will highlight the benefits of drones for both indoor and outdoor inspections, whether to insource or outsource your drone program, how to manage your drone data, and more.   January 28, 2021 – Flyability is partnering with MFE to offer a...

Spot has a new arm!

Boston Dynamics has announced new growth for their innovative agile robot--the growth of an arm! In addition to legs and cameras, Spot's arm allows it to do mobile manipulation. It can find and pick up objects, tidy up the living room, open doors, operate switches and...

Trimble X7 3D Laser Scanning System

Trimble X7 3D Laser Scanning System Delivers Powerful Performance with Simple Operation Now Available at MFE! MFE is proud to bring you the Trimble X7 3D Laser Scanning system. This high-speed 3D laser scanning system features advanced technologies to simplify...

Thermal Imaging and Drones

What is thermal imaging? Thermal imaging is the method of thermal radiation detection that allows observers to see an environment without the need for light. A thermal imaging device or thermal camera detects the heat signature that is emitted by all objects with a...

MFE Rentals Is Now MFE Inspection Solutions

To emphasize its core focus on industrial inspections MFE Rentals has rebranded, changing its name to MFE Inspection Solutions. The new name reflects MFE’s expanding catalog of inspection equipment and training offerings. MFE is now the only place end users and...

Deep Trekker Revolution Featured on: Greatest Mysteries – “Shipwrecked WWII Gold in Lost Submarine”

Deep Trekker Revolution Featured on A+E Networks Deep Trekker President "Sam Macdonald" and the Revolution underwater remote-operated vehicle were featured on A+E Networks Greatest Mysteries: Shipwrecked WWII Gold in Lost Submarine. Through the use of a magnetometer,...

MFE Inspection Solutions – WGN9 News

MFE Inspection Solutions Featured on WGN9 News WGN9 News featured Michael Vanovermeir, "New Lenox, IL MFE-IS Branch Manager," to learn about real-life uses for Boston Dynamics high-tech robot, "Spot." The reporters traveled to the MFE Inspection Solutions New Lenox...

MFE-IS Interview at Energy Drone and Robotics 2021

Sierra-Olympic Technologies Interviews MFE Inspection Solutions Sierra-Olympic Technologies interviewed Jason Acerbi, MFE Inspection Solutions General Manager, at the Energy, Drone, and Robotics 2021 trade show hosted at Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel &...

KHOU News – MFE | Boston Dynamics | Hess

Boston Dynamics and MFE Inspection Solutions demonstrate SPOT at the 23rd World Petroleum Congress. MFE-Is General Manager Jason Acerbi and Boston Dynamics Sales Manager Chris McCasky were attracting an audience by demonstrating the quadruped robot "Spots'"...

Hess Corporation Field Trial

MFE Inspection Solutions supported Hess Corporation with their deployment of the advanced quadruped mobile robot “Spot” on the Stampede Platform offshore Gulf of Mexico to collect high-quality data. The field trial proved Hess could leverage the fully autonomous robot to perform daily inspections. In addition, Spot is used to explore a range of artificial intelligence applications collecting reliable, repeatable data. Hess is currently creating an autonomous, self-optimizing oil field, leveraging multiple technologies to increase efficiency, improve reliability and reduce environmental impact.

Robotics for NDT (Non-Destructive Testing)

Spot & Trimble X7
The Trimble X7 is a High-speed 3D laser scanning system easily integrated into Boston Dynamics Spot Robot and able to simplify adoption, increase efficiency and provide confidence in the field.

Self-leveling
Trimble Registration Assist
Automatic Calibration
Laser Pointer
Georeferencing

MFE Drone Training Course Offerings

MFE Inspection Solutions Drone Course Offerings The world is evolving at an exponential rate, robotics, artificial intelligence and drone technology have reached new heights for visual and non-destructive testing inspections.  MFE Inspection Solutions is now providing...

MFE Unmanned Event – 3News

MFE Unmanned Event MFE Inspection Solutions hosted an unmanned event at the Al Amin Shrine Temple in Corpus Christi Thursday and invited technology companies to showcase the latest advanced inspection tools. Local companies attended the event, where several products...

MFE-IS Integrates FLIR MUVE C360 Chemical Hazard Sensor Payload to SPOT

Teledyne FLIR Defense has teamed with MFE Inspection Solutions to integrate the compact multi-gas detector MUVE C360 with the Boston Dynamics SPOT robot. This integrated solution will enable remote monitoring of chemical hazards from SPOT as well as specific UAVs in real time. The MUVE 360 detects and classifies airborne gas or chemical hazards, keeping humans safe during routine maintenance and inspection operations.

How the Pharmaceutical Industry Is Using Drones

How the Pharmaceutical Industry Is Using Drones to Improve Inspections and Cleaning Protocols   Regular maintenance is essential to pharmaceutical operations. This maintenance helps ensure that plant assets remain in good working order. It also helps ensure that...

Auterion interviews MFE Inspection Solutions about industry trends

Cynthia Huang with Auterion, speaks with sUAS Business Development Manager Tim Sime about trends he sees in the industry. MFE Inspection Solutions is a service provider of advanced inspection equipment and is very well known in the energy sector. MFE provides customer...

Elios 3 – The first Indoor LiDAR Mapping / Surveying Drone

The first Indoor LiDAR mapping, surveying, collision-resistant drone designed for advanced navigation and survey-grade point cloud mapping.

Underwater ROVs Capable of Inspection & Maintenance of Tanks

Water Storage Tanks Water tanks are typically drained and taken out of service as contractors inspect, clean, and sanitize the tank. In addition, a large volume of water drained from water tanks is disposed of into the ground as it cannot be put back into the system....

Refrigeration Plants – Acoustic Imaging Case Study

Refrigeration Plants Utilizing Acoustic Imaging Technology - Case Study MFE Inspection Solutions has a new line of customers using Acoustic Imaging Cameras such as the Si-124 to locate hard-to-find leaks in C02 refrigeration plants.  Leaks within manufacturing...

MFE Inspection Solutions Brings Autonomous LiDAR Mapping to Customers with New Emesent Partnership

Houston, TX–MFE Inspection Solutions announced today its appointment as a reseller of Emesent, a world leader in drone autonomy. This partnership will give MFE customers access to the full line of Emesent products including their flagship product Hovermap ST, an autonomy and mapping payload.

Historic Landmark “East Broad Top Railroad” Investigate Tunnels Using Hovermap LIDAR

On Thursday, May 26, 2022, the mission was to use a drone to map the conditions of two tunnels deemed unsafe for human access to identify landslides, rockfalls, shifted strata, or sources of underground water seepage.

MFE Inspection Solutions Announces Techtoberfest! A Technology Showcase & Customer Appreciate Event

MFE Inspection Solutions invites you to join our partners and us as we showcase the ultimate advanced inspection tech. You will enjoy beer and brats while taking the controls of the most innovative inspection robots available including the Flyability Elios 3, Boston...

Inspectors use Elios 3 for the first time in a storage tank.

Elios 3 Storage Tank Inspection Friday, October 7th, 2022 Inspectors at a Texas refinery use the Elios 3 to inspect a storage tank for the first time. The inspectors wanted to test the capabilities of the Elios 3 by utilizing its new features and LiDAR system not only...

Inspenet Interview – Bryan Duke & Mitch Milazzo / MFE Inspection Solutions

MFE Inspection Solutions Interview with Inspenet Inspenet interviewed Business Development Managers Bryan Duke & Mitch Milazzo at the ASNT (The American Society for Nondestructive Testing) annual conference.Bryan Duke gave a brief presentation on the MFE Mark lV...

MFE Supports BuildingPoint North East’s Laser Scan Application

Internal Pipe Laser Scan Solution BuildingPoint North East contacted MFE Inspection Solutions about four 100' prefabricated pipes placed inside concert-cored holes with less than 1" of tolerance. If any bending, binding, or twisting occurred during installation, it...

Hazard Avoided! Spot Utilizes Integrated Teledyne FLIR MUVE C360 Safety Feature to Autonomously Prevent Hazardous Situation!

Boston Dynamics Spot & Teledyne FLIR MUVE C360 Success Story Boston Dynamics agile mobile robot Spot recently detected a plume of combustible gas emitted from a pinhole leak on an autonomous walk at a midstream gas plant. The ability to detect an anomaly that is...

Internal & External Inspection with sUAS SLAM Based LiDAR Systems

MFE Inspection Solutions offers two different LiDAR-based solutions for inspections: indoor LiDAR mapping with the Elios 3 drone and external LiDAR mapping with the Hovermap ST-X payload system. While both solutions use SLAM-based LiDAR technology to generate 3D maps...

Flogistix Finds Success in Expanding Applications with MFE Inspection Solutions’ OGI Camera

  Flogistix Director Discusses Success with MFE OGI Camera in Methane Detection Efforts As MFE Inspection Solutions, we are thrilled to share the positive feedback from David Martinez, Director of the Air Methane program at Flogistix, about his experience with...

Exploring Scanning Systems: Laser Scanning, LiDAR Scanning, and Terrestrial Scanning – What Sets Them Apart?

3D Models / Point Cloud Mapping in Modern Industrial InspectionsIn today's society, advanced scanning systems have become essential tools for various industries, enabling them to capture accurate and detailed 3D models of objects, environments, and structures. Three...

MFE Inspection Solutions Teams Up with Voliro: Innovative Voliro T Drone Set to Transform Inspections

Houston, TX, June 13, 2023 --MFE Inspection Solutions, a leading provider of advanced inspection technology, announces a new partnership with Voliro, the innovator behind the revolutionary Voliro T drone. This advanced drone combines omnidirectional capabilities with...

Digital Twins – Revolutionizing Inspection Reports

Enhance Your Inspection Reports With Digital TwinsTable Of Contents Introduction What are Digital Twins? The History & Evolution of Digital Twins Expanding Accuracy in Inspection Reporting Data Capture using Photogrammetry and LiDAR Photogrammetry: Constructing...

Elios 3 Drone and Real-Time LIDAR for Detailed Storm Drain Inspection

Introduction In Austin, Texas, a pressing infrastructure issue was brought to the attention of Cobb Fendley, a renowned company specializing in urban development and planning. A storm drain, located near a busy highway, had become clogged and, in some sections,...

Voliro T: A Game-Changer in Steel Inspections – Steel Manufacture Case Study

Introduction In the rapidly evolving world of industrial inspections, where efficiency, safety, and accuracy are paramount, the challenges are particularly pronounced in sectors like steel manufacturing and infrastructure. Inspecting large, complex structures such as...

MFE Inspection Solutions Expands Advanced Technology Offering with Flyability’s New Elios 3 UT Payload

Houston, Texas—MFE Inspection Solutions, an authority on innovative inspection technology, proudly announces the addition of Flyability’s newest breakthrough, the Elios 3 UT payload, to their extensive product lineup. By adding ultrasonic inspection to the Elios 3’s...